Bob Walsh
Stockton, CA
Male, 60
I worked for the California state system, starting as a Correctional Officer and retiring as a Lieutenant in 2005. I now write for the PacoVilla blog which is concerned with what could broadly be called The Correctional System.
Yes. It is rare, but it does happen. They get to the point where they are more comfortable in custody than in the real world.
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Not really. DVI, where I worked, could hold juvenile commitments, which could go down to 14. Often as prisoners age they would get sent to the "old folks home" at San Luis Obispo, though that was not required unless they got so sick they couldn't get adequate treatment elsewhere. Generally the old guys tried to stay away from the youngsters just to avoid the drama, but that wasn't for sure. Some of the old guys are still very gang connected and active. After locked inmates could stay awake with the lights on in their cell as late as they wanted as long as they didn't make so much noise as to disturb others. We didn't actually turn the poewr off (usually) so they could read, watch TV, etc. In the dorms it was different, people had to quiet down so as to not disturb others.
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The shower rooms are pretty much open. Bad things can happen there so they must be visible to staff. Most cells have toilets and sinks in the cells. In dorm settings the toilets are also open, there are no stalls or doors, at least in the facilities that I am familiar with. Prison is a bad place if you are shy.
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That is hard, as it depends a lot on the exact setting and situation. General rule is "do your own time." Don't put your nose into other people's business. Don't borrow stuff. Don't loan stuff. Stand up for yourself without being an idiot about it. (This one is hard line to walk.) At least in California it is almost impossible for a hispanic inmate to be truly unaffiliated, which means you will pick a side and the other side will come after you on general principles. It is easier for blacks to be unaffiliated. It is even easier for whites to be unaffiliated. Try to be invisible without actually hiding. Best way of course it to stay the hell out of prison in the first place. There are nasty people in prison, and they continue to be predators after they are locked up. If you are in a cell people will tend to believe you are affiliated with your cellie. If his affiliation and yours don't line up, try to get another cellie. If in a dorm, be careful where you hang around. Different groups tend to stake out different areas. Keep your eyes open and your mouth shut. Remember, virtually no one goes to prison their first time around the block and pretty much everyone in prison has done county time. The rules are similar.
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Correctional Officer
Were there a lot of suicides in your prison, and what's the most common way prisoners do it?
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I'll try, though advice is dangerous and sometimes nothing works. Most people, including me, are STRONGLY opposed to jailhouse romances as they pretty much have a 100% failure rate. You, however, have had a relationship before he got locked up. So there are a few things you need to look at. One is time. Depending on what state you are in 10 years may mean three years, or it may mean ten years. There is a HUGE difference. It also depends on the offense. If it was a sexual offense (i.e. child molestation, etc) he is unlikely to change. If it was something else, like robbery or burglary, he may get his head straight. If he has a significant record already he is likely to change only via old age or infirmity, and you will have to look forward to him being incarcerated on and off for the rest of his life. Do you have any children? Do you have any children with him? Does he have any children with anybody else? Are you self-supporting, do you have a job? Will he expect you to kick down money to him while he is locked up? Will he expect you to spend all your weekends visiting him in prison? Are you ready for all that? My basic advise on ANY marriage is, if you have to ask, you are not ready. When one partner is about to go away to prison for what might be a long time, I definitely think it is a bad idea. More info would be helpful, but that is my basic response.
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The idea is to not have staff dealing with inmates with whom they or a member of their family has a personal relationship as it can cause problems in both directions. i.e. if your sisters husband is in prison, they would not allow him to be placed at the prison where you work. I don't remember the exact section of Title 15, but it is in there. Title 15 of the California Code of Regulations, also known as the Rules of the Directior of the Department of Corrections, can be accessed and searched on line.
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Some people have no shot period. For instance, the only way Charlie Manson is ever leaving prison is feet first. In California parole is automatic except for lifers, who are almost always murderers with a few kidnappers thrown in. Generally the parole board is looking for acceptance of responsibility, remorse and attempts at self-improvement, i.e. alcoholics annonymous meetings, getting a GED, that sort of thing. Also a good disciplinary record is a positive. If there are a couple of bible-thumpers on the board thery are often impressed by telling them you have found god while in prison.
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